Safety operating mechanism



June 2, 1925.

H. DE SMITH SAFETY OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 15. 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W M 7 d f a v n 7 z, Uh... fluhwmmuwm n NW 0 z h 13.5? H- 2 a 2 fi f Z Z W v i faz f.

WITNESS:

ATTORNEY.

June 2, 1925. 1,540,517

H. DE SMITH SAFETY OPERATING MECHANI SM A TTORNE Y.

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Patented June 2, 1925.

UNITED STATES '1,54e,517 PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY DE SIVIITH, OF ROCHESTER, NEVJ YORK, ASSIGNOB TO M. D. KNOWL'I ON CO1VI- PANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEN' YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SAFETY OTPERATING MECHANISM.

Application filed August 13, 1919. serial No. 317,238.

T 0 all 1127mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY Du SMITH, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Operating Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to safety operating mechanism for boX making or other machines which employ a movable presser member, and has for its object to provide an improved safety operating mechanism designed to preclude the possibility of the operators hand or fingers becoming injured by the presser member during the operation of the machine.

The invention, while applicable to machines of various kinds, is here shown as incorporated in the box-form of a box-ending machine. In these machines, the box-form is mounted on a reciprocating carrier and is caused to co-operate. with a stationary presser member to press an interposed end blank onto the end fianges of a box blank carried by the form. In accordance with the preferred form of my invention here shown. the box-form is made in two sections, one being adapted to be rigidly connected to the form carrier and the other being movable relatively thereto. Associated 'with this sectional form are automatic means which are normally operative to maintain the outer or presser section in yielding relation to the other until just prior to the form reaching a position for pressing engagement with the work, and to then effect 1 apositive connection between the sections to work-pressing position and so cause it to perform its work-pressing function.

One form of automaticmeans' operative in the way referred to is made the subject of reissued Letters Patent No. 15,611, dated May 22, 1923, and comprises a plurality of connections between the upper and lower form sections which are rotatable to and from their operative positions for holding the upper form section rigid relatively to the lower one. In accordance with my present invention, however, I provide connections between the form sections which are adapted for sliding movement to and from their operative holding positions. Also, as a further and important feature of my present invention, I provide automatic means, which is positive in its action, for returning the connectlons between the upper and lower form sections to their inoperative positions following the work-performing operation of the presser members, thus positively assurmg the upper or presser member being in .rocating carrier thereof.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the boxform removed from the carrier, with part of the same broken away for the clearer illustration of certain of the parts.

3 is a side elevation of the same on a reduced scale, also with part of the same broken away for the. clearer illustration of certain of the parts. i

Fig. 4 is an end viewof the same looking from the left as viewed in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a box blank as it appears prior to having the ends applied thereto.

The box-ending machine here shown is of substantially usual construction and comprises a frame 2 in which is journalled a crank shaft 3 connected through suitable gearing 45 with a drive-shaft 6 carrying a belt-pulley 7. Connected with the frame 2 for vertical reciprocation is a box-form carrier 8 which is actuated from the crank shaft 3 through a pitman connection 9. In the operation of the machine, a box blank having inwardly turned flanges, such as shown in Fig. 5, is placed on the box-form with the flanges at one and. resting upon the ril - ing top of these flanges, after which the tornr is raised to cooperate with the upper head or presser member ot the machine to press the end blank onto the box flanges.

In manipulating the work in the operation of these machines, it sometimes happens that the operator gets his hand or fingers caught between the top of the box-form and the aerating presser member 10, with resultjury to them. To provide an improved means for preventing the possibility of this has been the purpose of the present invention.

The her-storm comprises two main sections, the lower one, indicated at 11, being adapted to be rigidly attached to the carrier 8 in any usual or suitable manner, and the upper section, indicated at 12., being adapted for the direct support of the box blank.

The upper section 12, which is made up of adjustable parts as will hereinafter be described, is yieldingly supported in a normally projected position above the lower one by means of springs 13 located at the four corners thereof. As a means for guiding the upper section when moved vertically relatively to the lower one, as permitted by these springs, guide-pins 1e are provided at the four corners of the form which are attached at their upper ends to the upper section by suitable fastening means, such as the screws 15, and at their lowerends extend and work in guide openings 15 in the lower section. As a means to'limit the upward movement of the upper section relatively to the lower one under the action of the springs 13, pins or screws 1'? on the lower section are arranged to engage with suitable stop shoulders 18 on the guide-pins, as shown'in'hig. These guide-pins in the. present. case are made tubular to receive the upper ends of the springs 13, which latter at their lower ends are located in the guide openings 16 in the lower section. In this way the springs are housed and protected from in ury. 7

The upper section'oi the form is yieldingly held relatively to the lower one and its,

actuating carrier during the upward moven'ient of the form until the latter reaches a point in close proximity to the upper presser member 10, say to a point within approximately one-quarterot an inch therefrom or so close as to prevent the entry ot a persons hand or fingers, at which time it is necessary to render said upper section rigid or unyielding relatively to the lower one,

whereby it will be caused to exert theneces' sary pressure upon the interposed work. The means here shown tor doing lilllSC-Oll'h prise two members 20, 20, slidably mounted on the lower section ad acent opposite. sides thereof and each provided with lateral projections 22, 42, adapted to be shifted by a longitudinal sliding movement of the members 20 to and from their supporting positions beneath depending lugs 23, 23,011 the upper term section. l t hen these mcn'ibers are in inoperative position with their projections withdrawn from supporting position beneath the lugs 23 ot the upper torm section, as shown in Fig. 3, the upper section may yield relatively to the lower one there is nothing between. them at such time to prevent collapsing other than the springs 13 which yieldingly holdthe upper section in its normally projected position.

As a means for sliding these members to their operative supporting positions a -which is pivotally supported, at 26, a bell crank 27 arrangedto engage at one end with the end of the adjacent member 20, as shown in Fig. 3. In a vertically arranged tubular extension 28 of each of the brackets 5 is supported a means for operating the adjacent bell crank, which means is here shown as comprising an operating member or pin 29 slidably supported at the upper end of the tubular extension and engaging with the bell crank through an interposed spring 3 and slide 31, the latter having pin or projection 32 at its lower end engaging directly with the bell crank. As will be obvious, downward pressure on the members will operate to swing the hell cranks on their pivotsina direction to advance the members 20 to operative supportingpositions with their projections 22 beneath the depending lugs 23 of the upper form section. In order to have this operation take place at the desired predetermined time, the operating members .29 project above the plane ot the upper surface oi the box-"form a distance of approximatelyone-quarter oi" an inch, whereby they will be operated by engagement with the stationary presser member 10 just before the box-form reaches its position for pressing engagement with the work.

During the upward movement of the boxttorm, the members 20 will be. maintained in their inoperative positions with the projections 2:2 withdrawn "from beneath the lugs 23, whereby the upper form section may yield relatively to the lower one, until the operating members 29 comeinto contact with the upperstationary member 10, either directly or through an interposed end blank,

Hui

stance, as the operators hand or fingers,

becomes accidentally caught between the boxform and the stationary presser member during the upward movement of the boxform, the upper form section will be stopped in its moven'ient upon the obstruction contacting with the stationary presser member '10 and thereby permit the projections 22 on the slide members -to move up past the lower ends of the lugs 23 on said upper form section, where they will be held inoperative and against further lateral movement when the operating members 29 are subsequently brought into engagement with the stationary presser 10. The springs 30 inter.-

posed between the operating members 29 and the bell cranks 27 will yield at such 4 times, i. e. when the members 20 are held against sliding movement by the engagement of the projections 22 with the vertical sides of the lugs 23, and prevent breakage or other damage of the parts.

, Upon the descent of the box-form following its pressing engagement with the work, the members 20 are returned to their inoperative positions of disengagement with the upper form section by suitable automatic 'means. This means, as here shown, comprises a pair of springs 35, 35, which at one end engage said members within recesses 36 therein and at their opposite ends engage stationary screws 37 set inv the form, as shown.

The box-form may be made up in any suitable or desired way. As here shown, it is made adjustable to receive box blanks 'ot CllIl'YGIQUiTSlZGS. In providing for this ad justment, the upper form section 12 is made up of a pair of laterally adjustable side members 40, 40, having inwardly projecting extentions 41 at one end slidably connected with an end member 42, and the lower for. lateral adjustment; these plates 44 on the base 43 being provided to carry the lower ends of the connections between the upper and lower form sections, such as the guides 14 and associated springs 31, and the sliding supports 20 and their respective operating means. As clearly shown in Fig.

2, each member 20 and its operating means, including the spring for moving said member in one direction, and the sliding pin 29 and intermediate connections for moving it in the opposite direction, are

mounted as a unit on one of the plates 44 for lateral adjustment relative to the other;

As a means for adjusting the width of the form, an endwise-stationaiy screw 45 is provided, having right and left hand screw threads engaging the opposite plates 44, 44.

'Rotary movement being imparted to this screw, as by, means of a wrench applied to either of its squared ends, will cause a lateral movement of the opposite sides of the form toward or from each other, as desired. After the desired adjustment of the'form has been effected, the parts may be secured in adjusted position by suitable fastening means, such as the screws 46, which engage the lower plates 44, and the screws 47, which connect the extensions 41 of the upper members with the end member 42. An annular collar 48 at the center of the screw engages the base 43 within an openin 49 therein to hold the screw against endwise movement.

As hereinbefore described, the springs 35 operate to automatically return the sliding supports 20 to their inoperative positions of disengagement with the upper form section upon the down stroke of the form. If, however, these springs for any reason fail to properly operate, the members 20 would remain in their operative supporting positions and so prevent the upper form section from yielding-in the performance of its safety function. Therefore, I have provided an additional or supplemental means for returning the members 20 to their inoperative positions, which is positive in its action. This means comprises a link 50, which is pivotally connected at one end with a stationary support, as at 51, and at its opposite end is operatively connected with the members 20 to slide them to their inoperative positions upon the downward movement of the form. As here shown, the connection of the link with said slide members 20- is made by means of a transverse pin 52 at the inner end of the link slidably engaging at its opposite ends with tubular members 53, 53, connected with 'said slide members; this connectionfpermitting of the described lateral adjustment section 11 is made up of abase 43, adapted for attachment to theearrier 8, and a pair of plates 44, 44, slidably'mounted thereon of the form. A forked stud 54 on the base of the form engages the link and holds it centrally of the form during operation and adjustment of the parts.

The tubular members 53 engage the slide members 20 within longitudinally extending slots'55 therein. These slots are so formed as to permit of the slide members 20 being moved to their operative supporting positions under the action of the pins 29 when brought into engagement with the upper presser member 10, at which timethe link connections 53 will be at the right hand end of the slots in the members 20, as shown in Fig 2. There-after, upon the downward movement of the form the connecting end of the link 50, moving downwardly and laterally. in the arc of a circle, operates to positively return the members 20 to their inoperative positions with the projections 2 withdrawn from beneath the lugs, 23.

The tubular members 53 may be slidably connected with the members 20 in any suitable manner, the same as here shown being provided with annular recesses in which the walls of the slots 55 enga'ge as shown. Having thus set forth one practical embodiment of my invention, what I claim and desire to: secure by Letters Patent is 1.111 a box-ending machine, the combination with the presser-head and the vertically reciprocatlng box-form carrier,

of a box-form mounted on said carrier comprising upper and lower sections, means yieldingly holding the upper section in a normally projected position above the lower one, a slidable connecting vmember between said sections which is capable of being rendered operative and inoperative to maintam the upper section unyielding relatively to the lower one, means for controlling the action of the connecting member torender i'orm mounted on said carrier comprising upper and lower sections, means yieldingly holding the upper section in a normally projected position above the lower one, a slid able connecting member between saidsections which is capable of being rendered operative and inoperative to maintain the upper section unyielding relatively to the lower'one, means for controlling the action of the connecting member to render it operative just prior to the boX-form'reaching the end of its working stroke, said means including an operating member carried by the reciprocating box-term and actuated by engagement with a cooperative stationary part, and means for automatically rendermg the connecting member inoperative on the down stroke of the carrier following the work-performing operation. 7

3. In a box-ending machine, the combmation with thepressenhead and the vertically reciprocating box-form carrier, of a boxform mounted on said carrier comprising upper and lower sections, means yleldingly holdlng the upper sectlon ma normally projected position above the lower one, a slidable connecting member between said sections which is capable of being rendered operative and inoperative to maintain the upper section unyielding relatively to the lower one, means for controlling the action of the connecting member to render it operative just prior tothe box-form reaching the end of its working stroke, said means including an operating member carried by the reciprocating box-form and actuated by engagement with a cooperative stationary part, and positively acting automatic means for rendering the connecting member inoperative on the down stroke of the carrier following the work-performing operation.

4., In a boXending machine, the combinaa tion with the presser-head and the vertically reciprocating box-form carrier, of a boxform mounted on said carrier comprising upper and lower sections, means yieldingly holding the upper section in a normally proected posltlon above thev lower one, a connecting member between said sections which is capable of being rendered operative and inoperative to maintain the upper section unyleldmg relatively to the lower one, means for controlling the action of the connecting member to render it operative just prior to the boX-forni-reaching the end of its working stroke, said means including an operating member carried by the reciprocating box-form and actuated by engagement with a cooperative stationary part, and positively acting automatic means for'rendering the connecting member inoperative on the down stroke of the carrier following the workperforming operation. a

5. In a box-ending machine, the combination with the presser-head and the vertically reciprocating box-form carrier, of a boxform mounted on said carrier comprising upper and lower seections, means yieldingly holding the upper section in a normally projected position above the lower one, a slidable connecting member between said sections which is capable of being rendered operative and inoperative to maintain the upper section unyielding relatively to the lower one, means'for controlling the action of the connecting member to render it operative just prior to the box-form reaching the end of its working stroke, said means including an operating member carried by the reciprocating box-form and actuated by engagement with a'cooperative stationary part, and positively acting automatic means for rendering the connecting member inoperative following the work-performing operation, said means including a pivoted linkage between said connecting member and a stationary support.

6. In a boxbnding machine, the combination with the presser-head and the vertically reciprocating box form carrier, of a boxform mounted on said carrier comprising a box supporting section, means yieldingly holding said section in a normally projected position above the carrier, a slidable connecting member between said section and the carrier Which is capable of being rendered operative and inoperative to maintain the section unyielding relatively to the carrier, means for controlling the action of the connecting member to render it operative just prior to the box-form reaching the end of its Working stroke, and positively acting automatic means for rendering the connecting member inoperative on the down stroke of the carrier following the Work- 15 performing operation.

Signed at Rochester, in the county of Monroe, and State of New York, this 11th day of August, A. D, 1919.

' HENRY DE SMITH. 

